The United States is not in decline, we are not retreating, and we are not broke. Our GDP is second to none, and our fiscal problems are not the result of economic or social decline, rather, they are caused by our decision – as citizens – not to pay for many of the things we need and benefit from.
In this specific case, the United States met its original goals when we decided to invade Afghanistan after the 9/11/01 tragedy. The Al Qaeda training camps were destroyed in a matter of days, the AQ presence in Afghanistan was decimated, and the Taliban was removed from power and replaced by a government that is more or less pro-Western.
Since those goals were achieved, we spent a decade supporting a regime notorious for its corruption, thousands of Americans lost their lives or have been maimed training to give a medieval society an opportunity to embrace the values and pursue the opportunities that are available in the 21st century. A large number of Afghans (Pathans and Pashtuns) remain intent in retaining their traditions, their way of life, and their radical interpretation of Islam.
I say, let them live their lives the way they want and let’s not sacrifice any more American lives or our treasure trying to change those who do not want to change.
From a geopolitical or strategic perspective, and considering our military capabilities, Afghanistan is of little importance to us. Let’s get out of that place, the sooner the better, and invest the money we are wasting there right here where it would have a positive impact on our economic recovery.
Slash and burn is not the answer. We must learn to respect the rights and aspirations of others, and must always pursue the spirit enshrined in our Constitution.

The point was made, folks, that we don’t use as many horses in our military nowadays. Stop your cowboy mentality stupidity. There are MANY cuts we can make in the military, and by golly, we ARE getting out of unwarranted wars. Nobody has EVER been able to “help” the Afghans – they are beyond any sanity. Read The Panther by Nelson DeMille and learn something about what our drone mssiles actually do to help us and DO NOT have to kill American soldiers. I know, I know, you love the glory other people’s death bring you….except you deserve NO glory as you do nothing yourself.

I think the president is doing a masterfull job,and the american people black white brown and yellow have had resurgence of brotherhood love and understanding in reellecting this capable politian Borak Obama and they are to be comenndid with utmost praise and honor,the republican views are that the rich the powerfull and the well to do continue to get fat while the rest of the classes sink lower and lower income and overeall peace,but the people have woke up to divide and conquere strategy which is very simple minded but americans are not in the dark and more the struggle is rich againt poor and republicans are well aware of that fact so they say cut off grandma while giving and more to fat cats the pay for their campaigns slide them mad money to say any thing to stop the poor and middle class from moving forward toward a better life their families.Power to the people cause with out them the wealth means nothing.

Anyone having graduated the second grade knows the math says otherwise, Mr. Obama.

We have areas that need mending. We have artificially created a growing consumer economy by extending credit rather than working on raising salaries and extending better education that would earn better salaries. We’re paying for that now. We have abandoned an innovating and manufacturing economy for a services and investment economy where nothing is created. With the end of the cold war we had a chance to get off the dependence of foriegn oil and redirect military funds into the infrastructure and science — we did neither. We created a tyrant Presidential office where the checks and balances of that office are no longer effective. We have the largest redistrubution of wealth, from the bottom up. The people are disfranchized or distracted with partisan politics and don’t see the real problems. We have crazies that can get automatic weapons and massacre children. We have our work cut out for us.